Automatic means for clamping and deforming the ends of tubes



April 6, 1948. 2,438,999

AUTOMATIC lawns Fon cLAMPING AND DEFORMING THE Enns oF TUBES` E. C.HARTLEY El' AL Filed Feb. 20. 1945 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 lll Il APlil 6,1948. E. c. HARTLEY Er AL 2,438,999

AUTOMATIC MEANS FOR CLAMPING AND DEFORMING THE ENDS OF TUBES Filed Feb.2o, 1945 :s sheets-sheet s gf@ w y/////////////` ZM w vl ii 1.willi/am.;

Patented Apr. 46, 1948 A Y UNITED STATES anENT OFFICE AUTOMATIC MEANSFon CLAMPING Ann nEFoaMmG THE ENDS oF, TUBES j Emmett C. Hartley andHenry E. Hull, Cleveland, Ohio, assis-nora to The Parker ApplianceCompany, Cleveland, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application Februaryo,1945, Serial No. 578,898

The present invention relates to hydraulically operated tube enddeforming machines, and more particularly to an automatic means forcausing a complete cycle of operation of the machine.

An important object of the invention is to provide a tube end deformingmachine having means for positioning and clamping the end of the tube to.be deformed, hydraulic' means associated therewith for actuating theclamping and devforming means, Iand means effective upon positioning thetube for automatically Starting the machine and causing operation of thehydraulic means.

Another object of the invention is to provide a machine of the abovecharacter wherein upon positioning thetube end against the deformingmeans the machine is automatically started to 7 claim.. (ci. 153-19) 2Referring to the drawings for a more detailed descriptionthereof, andparticularly Figures 1 and 2, the tube end deforming machine comprises asubstantially :rectangular Shaped base plate 5 on which is mountedspaced upright members G l and l, said members being located at eachend0i thebase plate Aand Secured thereto by means of bolts or the like 8.Mounted between the uprights -B and I are a pair of cylinders `9 and I9maintained in spaced relation by the spacer member II. The cylinder-9carries a piston I2 y and the cylinder IIJ` carries aipiston I3, saidpistons being suitably packed-by means I4 within their cylinders, Theuprights 6 and l, cylinders complete the cycle of clamping the endfofthel tube, deforming the same and subsequent release of theclampingmeans.

With the above and other objects in view that will hereinafter appear,the nature of the invention will-be more clearly understood by referenceto the following detailed description, the

, claims, and the several Views illustrated in the `led December 26,1944, there is disclosed a tube end deforming machine which ishydraulically operated for clamping the tube end and deforming the same.In that application, the machine is under the constant attention of theoperator in that 'a valve must be manually operated lfor starting andstopping the machine. The present application is similar to thecopending applicaf tion and differs therefrom primarily intheelectricalmeans which has been provided for accomplishing automaticoperation of the machine shown in said copending application. v'I'heparts that are slmilar'to corresponding parts in the copending`application have been illustrated and will -be hereinafter specicallydescribed in order that a. com-plete understanding will be had of theinvention.

9 and I0 and spa-cer member II are linked together -by means of the tiebolts I5, there being preferably provided eight of these tie bolts.

The front upright member 6 is formed with an annular recess I6 at itsouter end for receiving a cam ring II and chuck I8, the chuck being heldagainst longitudinal movement by the plate Iii,4

While said plate is held in position by the studs 20 and scalloped thumbnuts 2l. The recess I6 is of a depth substantially equal to the lengthof the chuck I8 and thus said chuck is held against longitudinalmovement between said plate and the rear wall 22 of the recess I6. Thechuck I8 is adapted to'grip the tube T as the end of the latter is to bedeformed and the plate I9 isprovided with a central bore 23 throughwhich the tube is inserted. v

The chuck I8 comprises four tapered segmental members, the outerperipheryqof which is formedwith an annular groove 24 in which ispositioned a snap ring 25. This snap ring maintains the segments inunitary relation at alltimes. The chuck further includes coil springs 2Emounted in drilled holes in each segment so that the segments will beurged out of tube: gripping engagement for permitting the completed tubeto be readily removed anda new one inserted therefor.

The cam ring I'I is also positioned in the recess I6 and is formed witha bore 21 tapering downwardly and outwardly and generally conforming tothe shape oi the outerperiphery of the chuck I8. Thus, when the cam ringhas been shifted g to the position shown in Figure v1, the chucksegments are actuated radially inward to grip the tube T for the enddeforming operation. mThe cam ring I'I is actuated by the piston I3 andis connected to said piston Iby means of four draw bolts `28. Theforward end of the draw bolts 28 are provided with knurled nuts 29 whichextend through apertures in the plate I9 and are held against the ringas shown in Figure 1. The other end of the draw bolts 28screw-threadedly engage a plate 30, which plate is mounted on the end ofa rod 3| that is integral with and forms a. part of the piston I3. Theplate 30 is heldv on the rod 3| by means of a lock nut 32.

The piston I3 is formed with a centralbore 33 throughout its length andmounted within said bore is a guide sleeve 34 whose end 35 screwthreadedly engages the spacer member I I. Thus, it .will be seen that asthe piston I3 moves toward the right or left as viewed in Figure 1, itwill Vbe guided on the sleeve 34 vand will carry with it the plate 30draw bolts 28, and cam ring I1 since these parts are all interconnected.Movement of the cam ring l1 to the left as viewed in Figure 1 releasesthe chuck |8 so that the tube` T can be released and a new tubeinserted.

The piston I2 is movable toward the left as viewed in Figure 1 fordeforming the end 36 of the tube T. This piston is formed with a centralbore 31 in which is received a shaft 38 carried by the spacer memberwhich shaft guides the piston in its movement. The pistons I2 and I3 aresealed on the shaft 38 and sleeve 34 respectively with suitable packing39. The end 40 of the piston I2 is hollow and projects through the frontupright member 6. This end supports a flaring element 4| backed at oneend by a tension spring 42, its other end being cone-shaped as indicatedat 4 3 for flaring the tube end 36. The flaring 'element 4| is providedwith an annular ange 44 that is normally positioned within a counterbore45 in the upright member 6 and forms an abutment shoulder for the pistonend 40. Thisfannular flange is also engageable Ais rotated throughitsenlarged end 48, the pin movesforward and backward as desired withrespect to the chuck I8. The member 41 is yieldably held in any setposition by a springmember 49 which vengages notches 50 in the face ofthe enlarged end 48. As shown in Figure 2 of the drawing, only 180 ofthe face of the enlarged lend 48 is notched since obviously 180 turningof the sleeve will shift the pin 46 from its rearmost to its foremostposition. After the tube has been positioned and locked within the chuckI8, movement of the piston I2 to the left will cause the end 40 thereoftoengage'the annular flange 44 for forcing the conical vend 43 of theflaring element into the tube for flaring the end.

The pistons I2 and I3 are hydraulically operated in their cylinders 9and I0 for actuating the flaring element 4I and the cam ring I1respectively, one means of supplying and exhausting fluid to and vfrontithe cylinders is shown in Figure 2. 'The upright Bis formed with afluid' passage 5I terminating at 52 within the cylinder 9 andcommunicating with the left hand side ofthe piston I2. Likewise, upright1 has a vuld passage 53 therein terminating at 54 and communicating withthe right hand side of the piston I3. The spacer member II has a passage55 terminating at 56 and communicating with .a left hand side of pistonI3. The spacer member 1 is further formed with a passage 51, see Figure1, to afford communication between the cylinders 9 and I0. Mountedsubstantially centrally of the spacer Il and projecting beyond the endthereof, there is a needle valve 58,' the lower end of which is movableinan aperture 59 communieating with the passage 51. The stem of thevalve 58 is provided with a handle 60 for rotation of the valve whendesired to adjust the passage of uid through the` aperture 59. Theaperture 59 communicates with a horizontal passage 6| leading into thecylinder 9. The passage 51 has a ball check valve 62 mounted thereinwhich is backed by a'spring 63 removably held in said passage by thelock ring 64. As will hereinafter appear, the check valve 62 preventsApassage of the uid directly into the cylinder 9 from the cylinder I0. y

In accordance with the present invention, an electrical means has beenprovided for automatically actuating a reversing valve to supply fluidunder pressure to operate the pistons I2 and I3. First, however, aconduit 65 is connected to the passage 5| and is also connected .to thepassage 53 through a branch conduit 66. A second conduit 61 is connectedto the passage 55. The conduits 65 and 61 terminate in a housing 69,shown in Figurel of the drawings,'which housing supports a spool valve10. The housing 69 is supplied with fluid under pressure through theconduit 1I, whilea conduit 12 connects with a reservoir for returningthe fluid thereto through the outlet connections 13 and 14 under thecontrol of the `spool valve 10. Y

As shown in Figure 1 of the drawings, the pin 46 is suitably insulatedthrough the member 41 and the upper end of said pin carries a contactelement 15 to which one end of ra. Wire 16 is attached. Current issupplied from a suitable source through a line 'I1 which is,coupled witha transformer generally designated lby the reference numeral 18 having aprimary and sec-v ondary winding 19 and 80, respectively. The machineforms a grounding contact for the current passing through thetransformer 18 and line 8|, the latter being guided through a tubularinsulating member 82 prior to its connection with the upright member 6vas indicated at 83. Interposed within the system there is a holdingrelay generally designated by the reference numeral 84 which includes adash pot 85 `providing a cylinder 86'in which is supported a piston 81carried on a contact rod 88. The upper end of the rod 88 is adapted toclose the contacts 89 and 90. `The secondary winding 80 of thetransformer is connected to the contact 90 through the wire 9| vand thecontact 89 is connected to a wire means of the spring 95 when theelectriccircuit l is open. It will be noted 4that the spring 95 isinterposed between the lower face of the contact bar 93 and the upperend of the dash vpot 85 a'nd the tension of the spring is ordinarilysunl- -cient to urge the contact bar upwardly against the stops 94 whenthe circuit is open. A shaft or the like 96 extends downwardly from thecontact Ibar 93 on which is supported a coil 91, said coil forming apart of the lines 92, 8| and adapted when energized to pull the contactbar 93 downwardly f-rom its stops 94 -against the tension of the spring95. The contacts 98, 99, |00 and .IUI

lare adapted to be engaged by the contact bar 93 upon downwardmovementthereof. The contact The holding relay further includesalvertically i remainenergized even though the initial circuit isbroken. As long as the coil is energized, the solenoid will remainenergized and thereby hold the reversing valve 10 in its operatingposition. Thus, this circuit through the contacts |00 and becomes a partof the holding relay, the purl pose of which will be hereinafter moredescribed.

When the machine is not in use, the chucks I8 are opened and the annularange 44 oi the ilaring cone 43 is out of contact with the pin 46. In

this position the electric circuit is open so thatthe spring 95 willmaintain the contact bar 93 of the holding relay against the stops 94.The contact bar 93 will also engage the shoulder |,I0 formed on the rod88 so that the lighter spring III will not force the rod 88 and itspiston 81 downwardly within the dashpot cylinder 86. The solenoid |04 ismounted on a shaft |I2 which is carried by and forms a part of the spoolvalve 10 and being deenergized will permit the spring |I3 to urge thespool valve to 'an extreme right position whereby nuid pressure passingthrough the conduit 65 will maintain the pistons I2 and I3 in abuttingrelation with the spacer member II. With the pistons I2 and I3 so held,it is readily apparent that the cam ring I1 is out of operativeengagement with the chuck I8, and that the end fully i the housing 69and returned to the reservoirA l0 of the piston I2 is out of operativeengager ment with the flaring cone 43.

When desiring to are the end of the tube T, the tube is first insertedthrough the opening 23 of the plate I9 and into the jaws of the clutchI8 until its end is -brought into engagement with the aring cone I3.Pressure on the tube and flaring cone 43 will move the latter rearwardlyagainst the tension of the spring 42 .until the annular flange 45contacts the pin 46. AContact of the ange 45 with the pin 46 establishesan electric circuit through the line 16, secondary winding 80 of thetransformer 18, through the contacts 89 and 90,' through the line 92,coil 91 and line 6| to the frame of the machine at 83. This circuit willenergize the coil 91 and through its relation with the contact bar 93will urge said contact bar downwardly bridging the contacts 98, 99, |00and 0|. A circuit is then completed from the power line 11`.throughcontacts 98 and 99 and line |03 to energize the solenoid |04. When thissolenoid is energized, it pulls the spool valve 10 toward the left tothe position shown, compressing the spring |I3 and directing fluidthrough conduit 61. The conduit 61 being connected to the cylinder I0through the port 56 will cause the fluid to be directed therein for I0`and ilow'thr'ough the passage 61, valve con-- trolled passage 69 andhorizontal passage 6| into the cylinder 9. Fluid pressure entering 'thecylinder 9 will actuate the piston I2 toward the left bringing its end40 into engagement with the annular ange 44 of the flaring tool 4| todeform the tube end. Fluid from each cylinder 9 and I0 is exhaustedthrough conduits 65, into through the conduit 14. As soon as the aringcone flange 44 moves away from the pin 46, the

circuit lwhich initiated'the cycle is broken and the holding relay 84will function toI maintain a closed circuit until the flaring operationhas been completed. As before indicated, when the coil 91 is energized,the contact bar 93 is pulled downward bridging the contacts 98 and 99.At the same time, however, said bar bridges the contacts |00,and |0|whereby the coil 91 remains energized by current passing through line|06, the secondary winding 80, through contacts 89 and 90, line 92 and I08 as previously described. As soon as the contact bar 93 has moveddownwardly freeing the same from the shoulder IIO, the light spring III,active on the piston 81, starts to pull the contact rod 88 downwardly.However, such downward movement of the contact rod is momentarilydelayed by the dashpot 85 so that the flaring cone 43 can completelyilare the tube end. VContinued downward movement of the contact rod 88under the influence of the spring I II will move the end of said rod outof engagement with the contacts 89 and 90 to open the circuit. The timewhich is required for the contact rod to open the circuit at thecontacts 89 and 90 is'adjustable by means of a needle valve I I4.

As soon as the contact rod 88 opens the contacts 89 and 90, the coil 91will be deenergized allowing the spring 95 tov force the contact bar93-'upwardly to break contacts 98, 99, |00 and IOI. Breaking of thecontacts 98 and 99| will deenergize solenoid |04 whereupon the spring|I3 will urgethe spool valve 10 toward the extreme right position toreverse the fluid pressure, and

cause release of the tube clamping .chuck and withdrawal of the flaringcone actuating piston.

It is to be understood that as th-e pressure iluid is reversed it willbe exhausted from 'the cylmoving the piston I3 fromV its positionadjacent 'being admitted to the cylinder I0.

After the 'tube has been. clamped through the chuck I8, pressure willbuild up in the cylinder inder I0 through the port 56 and conduit 61 andreturned to the housing 69 from where it passes to the reservoir throughthe conduit 13. Of course, the valve is then so positioned in thehousing 69 that the conduits 61 and 13 are in communication. At the sametime uid from within the cylinder 9 will force the ball check valve62`away from its seat permitting the fluid to enter the cylinder I0 andlikewise be exhausted through the port 56 and conduit 61. The pistonswill then have been returned to their initial position adjacent thespacer member II and the machine and electric circuit is then ready forilaring another tube.

It will be noted that there has been provided a check valve ||5 in thedashpot 85 to assure quick upward movement of the contact rod 88.

so that the operator need not wait after he moves the completed tubebefore inserting another tube 'and startlngthe next cycle,

From the above description, when taken in constart the complete. cycleof clamping, ilaring and unclamping. The transformer has beenused toreduce the voltage from the line 11 in order to avoid shocking theoperator of the machine. This transformer is necessary since the currentpasses through the machine from the pin connection to the groundconnection 93 and should current be present in the machine there wouldbe the danger of shocking the operator holding the metal tube.

In Figure 3 of the drawings there is shown a modied form of theinvention, which includes the use of a micro-switch to establish thecircuit and initiate the cycle. In this form of the invention thecurrent does not pass through the machine, as in the preferred form, andconse quently the use of a transformer is not required to reduce thevoltage. The machine shown in Figure 3 is' identical with the preferredform and differsr only in the construction of the pin 49' which iscontacted by the annular .flange 44 when positioning the tube in themanner previously described.

rThe pin 46 is of a larger diameter in the center than at its ends andis disposed in an angularly drilled passage ||9 formed in the member||1.`

The upper end ||9 of the pin 46' is ball shaped 8 49 and the annularnange 44, the pin 40' will rock about its bulged center and pull thesocketA I9 toward the left thereby disengaging the stud |3| from thebutton |39 and allowing the switch element |29 to close. Closing of theswitch element |29 establishes a lcircuit through the line |25, contacts99 and 90, coil 91 and line 92. The tube is clamped by the chuck I3 inthe manner previously described and when the daring cone 43 starts tomove toward the left under the action of the piston l2, the spring |32will shift the stlud l |'3l and socket ||9 toward the right. the stud|3| and is retained in an adjustable socket I9. II'his socket ||9 iscapable of limited horizontal movement under the action of the pin 46',the ballI shaped end ||8 being supported between the coil spring andscrew plug |2|. The screw plug |2| is provided [for adjusting the spring|20 through the ball shaped end ||9.

A micro-switch of conventional construction and. generally designatedfby the reference nu-v meral |22 is xedly secured to the front uprightmember 9 as indicated at |23. includes a. control element |24 to whichis connected a. wire I 25 leading to one side of the power line 11. Awire |26 leads from the otherside of the power line 11 and is connectedto the contact 90. As in the preferred form, the contact 99 is connectedto the wire 92,'coi1 91 and wire 9|, the wire 8| in the circuit beingconnected to the contact |29 of the switch element |29. Thus when theswitch element |29 is in engagement with the contact |24, a circuit iscompleted through wire |26, contacts 89 and 90 bridged by contact rod89, wire 92 switch element |29, and wire |25. The switch element |29 isnormally maintained open through the button |30 and stud |3|'. The stud|3| extends laterally from the socket ||9 into the micro-switch |22. Aspring |32 is interposed between the ihead |33 of the stud and the wallof the switch for normally urging said stud toward the button |30. Thebuttonis movable laterally through engagement of the stud |3| tomaintain the switch element |29 disengaged.

With the contact element in the position shown in Figure 3 of thedrawing, the circuit is open and the machine is ready for flaring a tubeend. The operation of the electrical circuit for completing the cycle isthe same as in the preferred form. In other words, when the circuit isclosed, the contact bar 93 is lowered and the coil 91 and solenoid |04are energized to actuate the spool valve 10 directing iluid underpressure to the cylindersand pistons. The means of initiating the cycleis slightly different, and provision of the micro-switch eliminates thepassage of current through the machine. As the tube T is positionedagainst the daring cone 43 and urged rearwardly until contact is madebetween the pin The micro-switch v again contacting the button |30 toopen this part of ,the circuit in the same manner as described inconnection with the preferred form. The holding relay 94 will maintainthe coil 91 and solenoid |04 energized until the :daring operation hasbeen completed even though the initial circuit has been opened. As soonas the flaring operation has been completed. the dashpot moves to breakthe circuit and thereby deenergize the coil 91 and solenoid |04 forreversing the direction of the fluid pressure t0 release the tubeclamping chucks and withdraw the ilaring cone actuating piston in themanner previously described.

In each form of the invention pressure of the tube against the flaringcone will cause lthe latter to contact a pin to start the cycle. Afterthel circuit has been closed. the entire operation of clamping, flaringand unclamping the tube is automatic and is performed through theelectrical mechanism and dashpot hereinabove described.

While one form of the invention has been shown for purposes ofillustration, it is to be clearly understood that various changes in thedetails of construction and arrangement of parts may x,be made withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in theclaims.

yWe claim:

1. In a tube end deforming machine, the combination of a supportingbase,- front and rear upright members attached to said base, tube endclamping means associated with one of said upright members, axiallymovable tube end deforming means movable in one\of said upright members,said deforming means adapted to be moved in. one direction whenpositioning the tube and to be moved in the opposite direction duringthe deforming operation. an electrical circuit closed by said deformingmeans when moved in said one direction to initiate a cycle to actuateyclamping means associated with one of said upright members, axiallymovable tube end deforming means movable in one of said upright members,said deforming means adapted to be moved in one direction whenpositioning the tube and to be moved in the opposite direction duringthe deforming operation, an electrical circuit closed by said deformingmeans when moved in said one direction to initiate a cycle to actuatethe clamping means and subsequently move the deforming means in the saidopposite direction. a holding relay for maintaining the deforming meansin after the initial circuit has been opened, said holding relayincluding a contact bar andtwo pairs of contact elements, a coil adaptedto be `l energized' by said electrical circuit for urging said contactbar into engagement with said two pair of contacts, means operative uponclosing one pair of contacts to actuate the clamping means andsubsequently move the deforming means in the said opposite direction todeform the tube end and open the initial electrical circuit, the otherpair of contacts maintaining the coil energized to complete the'deforming operation, and dashpot means for opening said contact bar torelease the clamping and deforming means. a

3. In a tube end deforming machine, the combination of a supportingbase, front and rear upright members attached to said base, tube endclamping means associated with Said front upright member, tube enddeforming meansV movable in said yfront upright member, a pair ofcylinders positioned between said upright members, pistons operable ineach of said cylinders, said pistons adapted to be operated by uid underpressure entering said cylinders for first clamping the tube end andthen deforming said tube end by said deforming means, and anelectrically controlled valve operative upon positioning the tube forcontrolling the admission of fluid under pressure to said cylinders toactuate the clamping and deforming means and the subsequent automaticrelease of theclamping and ldeforming means. l

4. In a tube end deforming machine. the combination of a supportingbase, front and rear upright members attached to'said base, tube endclamping means associated with one of said upright members, axiallymovable tube end deforming means, a vertically disposed pin mounted insaid front upright member adapted to be contacted by said deformingmeans for properly locating said tube end relative tovsaid clampingmeans, an electrical circuit closed by contact of said deforming meanswith said pin to initiate a cycle to actuate the clamping means andsubsequently actuate the deforming means out of contact with said pin,electrical means for maintaining the deforming means in operativeengagement with the tube after the electrical circuit has been opened bymovement of said deforming means out of contact with said pin, and

dashpot means forreleasing the clamping and y deforming means.

5. In a tube end deforming machine, the com- I Cil clamping meansassociated with one oi: said upright members, axially movable tube endde-` forming means, a pin vertically mounted in said front uprightmember, the lower end of said pin adapted to be contacted by saiddeforming means for properly locating said `tube `end relative to I saidclamping means, a movable socket carried by said front upright member,the upper end of said pin engageable in said ymovable socket, a normallyOpen switch element associated with said socket, said switch elementforming a part of an electricalcircuit, said pin being rockable in itssupport whereby contact of the lower end thereof by said deformingmeansv upon positioning a tube will allow said switch to close therebyinitiating a cycle to actuate the clamping means ani deforming means andthe subsequent release of the clamping and deforming means.

6 In a tube deforming machine, the combination of'a 'tube clampingmeans, a tubeend deforming device, means for'supporting and operatingsaid device, said device being initially yieldingly projected away fromsaid operating means' to a limited extent, and means actuated by saiddeforming device when pressed upon by the tube and moved toward saidoperating means for initiating the clamping means, said clamping meansoperating to initiate the deforming means when the tube has been clampedtherein 7. In a tube deforming machine, the combination of atubeclamping means, a tube end deforming device, means for supporting andoperating said device, said device being initially yield- 'inglyprojected 'away from said operating means to a limited extent, and meansactuated by said deforming device when pressed upon by the tube andmoved toward said operating means for initiating the clamping means,said clamping means operating to initiate the deforming means when thetube has been clamped therein, and

automatic means for releasing the clamping means after a pre-determinedtime period.

file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 989,805 Reynolds Apr. 18, 19111,943,089 Rosenberg Jan.'A 9, 1934 2,176,188 Poole et a1 Oct, 17, 19392,326,541 Kuehn Aug, l0, 1943 2,394,841 Buggr Feb. 12, 1946

